In today’s Bendigo Advertiser, Michaela, who did not wish to be named, shared her family’s heartbreaking experience with the drug ice.

She has her fingers crossed it’s not too late to save her 20-year-old son from his addiction and wants to do everything possible stop people getting their hands on the drug.

Michaela’s call for a community forum to address Bendigo’s concerning relationship with ice comes as the Bendigo Advertiser teams up with Bendigo Health and Victoria Police for the Break the Ice campaign. 

The initiative aims to give an honest account of what ice is doing to our community and, hopefully, to bring about change.

The Bendigo Advertiser is inviting any organisation that can make a difference, or people wishing to share their experiences with ice, to get involved.

Michaela said community awareness would go a long way and suggested a public forum would give people a better understanding about the growing prevalence of the drug and its impact on people’s lives.

“I think that would help to make a difference,” she said. 

“The head of the emergency department at the hospital could speak, St Luke’s workers, YSAS, The Salvation Army, and people like that.

“It would help to give people a bit more of an understanding.”

Michaela said a forum would also give parents going through similar situations a chance to support each other.

“Ice is such dangerous stuff. I don’t understand what people see in it, it’s not good.” 

n If you need help, call: Family Drug Help 1300 660 068; Family Drug Support 1300 368 186; Directline (Alcohol and Drug referrals and telephone counselling); 1800 888 236; Lifeline 13 11 14.